Our members are reporting most insurers paying higher repair rates since the release of the independent labor rate survey. Now it seems getting the old repair rates is unusual. Almost every insurers will pay the prevailing rates that were revealed in the rate survey conducted by CSI complete. ONE THING IS FOR SURE, IF YOU DON'T REQUEST THE TRUE PREVALING RATE, YOU WILL NOT GET IT.

Our members have said they are not accepting "NO" or " You're the only shop asking for that" for an answer anymore. They are politely requesting the new rates from the appraisers. If that doesn't work they are calling supervisors and even their supervisor if needed. Shops are now taking it to the next pay grade. Several members reported the supervisors were suprised that shops are requesting higher rates because they're field appraiser are simply saying no without requesting approval from management. Our members have been keeping copies of estimates when the higher rates are paid, removing the customers information and using these as proof the new rates are being paid. If the carrier still refuses to pay, our members are filing complaints with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). http://www.tdi.texas.gov/ And this brings us to our ACTION PLAN!!!!

The ACTION PLAN is:

When you have exhausted all other means to get your shops rates paid and the insurer is still refusing, please follow the steps below.

Write an estimate for the repairs as your shop would repair the vehicle and at your repair rates, make a copy of the insurance estimate, take a picture of your shop's posted labor rate sign and email it everything to TDI. We also suggest copying your State representative, so they know one of their supporters needs help from a state agency.

I am writing to file formal complaint against ___________ for short paying an insurance claim filed against them under Claim number ___________. My collision repair shop has made multiple attempts to resolves this issue but we were unable to reach an agreed repair amount for this claim. The short pay amount is $_____.___. The short pay consist of repair rate differences and required repair procedures the insurance company says they do not pay for. I am asking they be required to pay the full claim amount owed to the consumer (vehicle owner/Texan) in order to have their vehicle completely and properly repaired without any out of pocket expense. I thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

The March Luncheon was big success. Everyone seemed to really like the setting, so we are doing it again. It will be held at one of the local restaurant on the North side of town. We will be sending out official notices so we can get an accurate attendance count, once we have a date, place and time for event. We hope see everyone there. As always we welcome everybody, member and non-member shops alike.

Please forward this email to every shop owner and manager that you know because the more people we reach, the better off our industry will. Also take second to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, the links are below.

Many of our members are reporting major insurers paying higher repair rates since the release of the independent labor rate survey. The reason we contacted an independent third party to conduct a labor rate survey in Houston and surrounding areas was to serve as a checks and balance to what the insurers are saying the prevailing rate is. So far there are fifteen or more insurers that will pay the actual prevailing rates and others say they are pushing their management for a change.

Our members have said they are not accepting "NO", " You're the only shop asking for that" or "That's above my pay grade" for an answer anymore. They are politely requesting the new rates from the appraisers. If that doesn't work they are calling supervisors and even their supervisor if needed. Shops are now taking it to the next pay grade. Several members reported the supervisors were suprised that shops are requesting higher rates because they're field appraiser are simply saying no without requesting approval from management. Our members have been keeping copies of estimates when the higher rates are paid, removing the customers information and using these as proof the new rates are being paid. If the carrier still refuses to pay, our members are filing complaints with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). http://www.tdi.texas.gov/ And this brings us to our ACTION PLAN!!!!

The ACTION PLAN is:

When you have exhausted all other means to get your shops rates paid and the insurer is still refusing, please follow the steps below.

Write an estimate for the repairs as your shop would repair the vehicle and at your repair rates, make a copy of the insurance estimate, take a picture of your shop's posted labor rate sign and email it everything to TDI. We also suggest copying your State representative, so they know one of their supporters needs help from a state agency.

I am writing to file formal complaint against ___________ for short paying an insurance claim filed against them under Claim number ___________. My collision repair shop has made multiple attempts to resolves this issue but we were unable to reach an agreed repair amount for this claim. The short pay amount is $_____.___. The short pay consist of repair rate differences and required repair procedures the insurgence company says they do not pay for. I am asking they be required to pay the full claim amount owed to the consumer (vehicle owner/Texan) in order to have their vehicle completely and properly repaired without any out of pocket expense. I thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Do you know the difference between the right candidate and the wrong candidate? Well the right candidate is the one that aligns best with your views, values and interest. As you may or may not know, some of the candidates running in the primary election have been supportive of our industry over the years. It's NOW our turn to support them. Below is a list of candidates and the office they are running for that have supported collision repair industry over the years, so let return the favor.

We're going to try something new in March. HABA is holding it's first lunch time meeting. It will be held at one of the local restaurant. We will be sending out official notices so we can get an accurate attendance count. We hope see everyone there. As always we welcome everybody, member and non-member shops alike.

Please forward this email to every shop owner and manager that you know because the more people we reach, the better for our industry. Also take second to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, the links are at the bottom of this email.